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Podcast Episode 263: Listen and Learn — Subject Matter Jurisdiction

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Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This is another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we’re focusing on subject matter jurisdiction from Civil Procedure.

In this episode we discuss:

  • Review of the basic concept of jurisdiction
  • Constructing an attack plan for Civil Procedure
  • The two types of actions that federal courts have jurisdiction over
  • The difference between citizenship and domicile for people (and corporations)
  • Analyzing two Civ Pro essay questions, from the February 2009 and July 2012 California bar exams
  • Laws that tie into subject matter jurisdiction — supplemental jurisdiction and aggregation of claims

Thanks for listening!

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Podcast Episode 262: Researching Law Firms (w/Sadie Jones)

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Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with ex-BigLaw recruiter Sadie Jones about the best resources to turn to for law firm research, and what information to consider when applying for summer associate positions.

In this episode we discuss:

  • When should you start to think about summer jobs?
  • Finding firms whose specialties are the best fit for you
  • Considering the differences between headquarters and satellite offices
  • Looking at the firm’s diversity program
  • How informative are law firm websites, and where else can you look for information?
  • Why law firm rankings can be a trap
  • Connecting with previous summer associates to get a clearer picture of the firm

Thanks for listening!

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Podcast Episode 261: Listen and Learn -– The Basics of Hearsay

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Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! This episode is part of our “Listen and Learn” series, where we review legal concepts and apply them to fact patterns. Today, we’re covering a commonly tested topic from Evidence, and that is hearsay.

In this episode we discuss:

  • What are the rules of hearsay?
  • Non-hearsay and exceptions to hearsay
  • Analyzing two Evidence questions, from the July 2003 and February 2016 California bar exams
  • How to qualify a statement as hearsay
  • Tips for memorizing concepts you’re studying

Thanks for listening!

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Podcast Episode 260: Career Implications of the COVID-19 Crisis (w/Sadie Jones)

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Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re talking with guest Sadie Jones about the implications of the coronavirus on the legal job market. We’re looking at several common concerns, such as cancelled jobs, lay-offs, and diminished networking opportunities.

In this episode we discuss:

  • How the legal job situation has changed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The new timing of OCI and the bar exam
  • Having enough flexibility to handle a job search in a tough market
  • How to explain a summer job that was cancelled
  • Ways to network even if you’ll be studying virtually
  • You’re not alone in this! Where to look for help if you need to

Thanks for listening!

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Podcast Episode 259: Listen and Learn — Relevance in Evidence

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Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have another episode in our “Listen and Learn” series. This time we’re focusing on relevance — a very commonly tested Evidence topic.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The Federal Rules of Evidence
  • Relevance and admissibility
  • The two basic kinds of relevance
  • Determining the evidence in question, the fact of consequence, probative value and prejudicial effect
  • Analyzing two essay questions, from the July 2005 and July 2009 California bar exams
  • Why you have to be as specific as possible when it comes to answering questions on relevance
  • Remembering to use the word “because” when you write, which will force you to explain your reasoning

Thanks for listening!

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Podcast Episode 258: Law Clerks for Diversity (w/ guest Danielle Barondess)

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Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we’re excited to be talking with Danielle Barondess — one of the creators of Law Clerks for Diversity — about the clerkship application process and working to increase diversity in the federal judiciary.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The mission of the Law Clerks for Diversity program
  • An overview of Danielle’s own background
  • Challenges that diverse clerkship candidates face
  • A few common scenarios related to the clerkship application process
  • The Clerkship Hiring Plan
  • The value of finding a strong mentor

Thanks for listening!

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